11 posts tagged with "Food Waste"

Bread spoils quickly and becomes moldy fast, many people wonder: Can you compost bread? Is moldy bread safe for compost? And what happens if you eat moldy bread accidentally?

Bread is one of the most commonly wasted foods in American and European households. This guide walks you through composting bread safely — using advice aligned with expert guidelines from the USDA, food safety research, and environmentally responsible composting practices.

Quick Recap​

• Can you compost bread? Yes — even moldy bread.

• Can bread be composted safely? Absolutely, especially in a GEME composter.

• Is moldy bread dangerous to eat? Yes, avoid it due to allergens and potential toxins.

You’ll also learn why bread composts more reliably in a GEME composter, which uses active microorganisms to break it down fully.

Grapes are a delicious and nutritious fruit, but they can spoil quickly if not handled properly. And, of course, you can compost spoiled or moldy fruits like grapes.

In this practical guide, we’ll cover everything from explaining mold on grapes – how to spot it and what it means – and answering the big question: Can I compost spoiled or moldy grapes? We’ll also show you how to store grapes, how to wash grapes, and how long grapes can last in the fridge from trusted food safety and composting sources, along with step-by-step advice to keep your grapes fresh longer and to ensure your compost is healthy.

Composting is nature’s recycling. It uses microorganisms to turn organic waste (kitchen scraps, yard trimmings, etc.) into nutrient-rich soil amendments. This managed, aerobic process (requiring air) feeds beneficial microbes that break down “greens” (nitrogen-rich) and “browns” (carbon-rich) materials, releasing heat and nutrients. An actively maintained compost pile can reach 130–160°F during decomposition, killing pathogens and weed seeds as it cooks. The final product is dark, crumbly compost that enriches garden soil.

Embedding a photo, for example, reveals a steaming compost heap – evidence of intense microbial activity at work.

A garden compost pile heating up and steaming as microbes break down yard and kitchen waste (Picture from rodaleinstitute.org).

Strawberries are delicious but notoriously perishable. Their tender, thin skins, high moisture and sugar content, and rapid respiration make them prone to bruising, microbial spoilage (especially mold such as Botrytis), and flavor loss.

In warm or humid conditions, they spoil very quickly. Minimizing handling, keeping them cool and dry, and using gentle storage methods are key. With the right techniques, you can keep strawberries fresh longer, reduce waste, and even recycle food waste into rich compost for your garden.

The tips below (drawn from USDA and university extension guidance) will help home cooks, gardeners, and sustainability advocates store strawberries safely and effectively.

How Long Do Blueberries Last? A Complete Guide to Storing Blueberries for Freshness​

Blueberries are delicious, nutritious, and incredibly versatile—great in smoothies, cereal, baking, or as a snack. But they also have a short shelf life, especially if not stored correctly. Whether you buy them fresh from a farmer’s market or pick them from your backyard bush, knowing how to store blueberries properly can make a big difference in how long they stay good. In this guide, we’ll explain how long blueberries last, the best ways to store them, and how to tell if they’ve gone bad.

We’ll also answer common questions like:

• How long do blueberries last in the fridge?

• Can you freeze blueberries to make them last longer?

• What affects the shelf life of blueberries?

• How to extend the freshness of blueberries naturally?

Let’s dive into how to keep your blueberries fresh, flavorful, and safe to eat for as long as possible.

Bananas are a convenient, nutrient-rich fruit, but they ripen and spoil quickly at home. On average, a bunch of bananas left out on the counter will only stay fresh for a few days before turning brown and mushy. By understanding what causes bananas to ripen and using smart storage techniques, we can significantly extend their shelf life.

This guide explores how long bananas last, practical tips on how to make them last longer, whether refrigeration helps, and how to compost banana peels to turn kitchen waste into garden gold.

Electric composters are innovative kitchen appliances designed to solve the growing problem of food waste management. These smart devices efficiently transform kitchen scraps, including vegetable peels, fruit cores, coffee grounds, and even some meat scraps, into nutrient-rich compost within hours instead of months. By combining advanced technology with natural decomposition principles, electric composters like GEME offer an eco-friendly solution for urban households and restaurants lacking outdoor composting space, while reducing landfill waste and greenhouse gas emissions from traditional waste disposal methods.

The increasing focus on food waste disposal policies presents a significant challenge to the restaurant industry.

On one hand, the ongoing costs associated with waste disposal represent a steady and unavoidable operational expense. Furthermore, the storage of food waste is a pressing issue. Especially during the summer months, rising temperatures can cause rapid decomposition, unpleasant odors, and the proliferation of bacteria.

GEME to Unveil Groundbreaking Food Waste Solutions at CES 2025​

Las Vegas, Nevada — GEME, a leading innovator in sustainable food waste management, is excited to announce its participation at CES 2025. Known as the global stage for innovation, CES brings together the brightest minds in technology and sustainability. GEME will be showcasing its cutting-edge composting solutions, designed to tackle food waste at a personal and community level.

The CES event will feature GEME’s latest composting systems that are revolutionizing the way consumers approach food waste. With a focus on ease of use, efficiency, and sustainability, GEME’s solutions enable individuals and families to reduce their carbon footprint and transform organic waste into nutrient-rich compost.

Halloween is a widely celebrated festival in many countries, and pumpkins play a significant role during this time. However, the issue of pumpkin waste after Halloween has become a matter of concern, involving both economic and environmental aspects.